The List of Lists is back for its 5th year and it’s bigger than ever! Once again I’ve assembled a highly curated collection of Lovecraft-related items for your holiday season. Here you can find a plethora of paraphernalia for the weird-fiction fanatic, cosmic-horror connoisseur, or mythos maniac in your life. (And maybe a little something for yourself. You need gifts too.) As with previous years, I’ve worked to assemble a list of great items for all ages and budgets.

As before, I’ve organized the list by category and ordered them by price making it easy to browse. Have a favorite new weird or mythos-themed item I left off? Leave a comment at the bottom and let everyone know! Appreciate the work I put into this list? Please share it with your friends! Happy shopping!

❄️ QUICK LINKS ❄️

❄️ BOOKS

The Sea Dreams it is the Sky by John Hornor Jacobs$3.99 (eBook)
A new cosmic horror novella written by one of the most talented new mythos voices working today. A young professor finds herself meeting a mysterious poet known only as “The Eye.” Her relationship leads to an ancient and profane grimoire and a pull home that cannot be ignored. (Also look into John’s fantastic and wonderfully weird Incorruptibles series.)

The Stars Were Right by K. M. Alexander$14.00 + Free Shipping (Paperback) $2.51 (eBook)
With Book Four on the way, now is the perfect time to start reading my Bell Forging Cycle. Follow Waldo Bell as he is sent careening through the multi-level megalopolis of Lovat fighting to clear his name as he’s stalked by a bloodthirsty killer. It’s mystery and monsters, chases and cults, and an ancient evil in a world that is similar but not quite like our own.

Sip by Brian Allen Carr$15.00 + Free Shipping (Paperback) $9.99 (eBook)
This poetic and wildly bizarre post-apocalyptic novel hooked me from the beginning. A story of violence and addiction set in a world where people can drink (and then begin to crave) shadows. Wildly creative, gritty as hell, raw, unapologetic, and wonderfully written—Sip is a must-read for weird fiction fans that like their weird on the darker side.

Deep Roots by Ruthanna Emrys$20.19 + Free Shipping (Hardcover) $13.99 (eBook)
The second novel of the Innsmouth Legacy Series (the first of which was featured in 2017’s Holiday Gift Guide) follows Aphra Marsh as she seeks to reclaim the village of Innsmouth—her homeland—from the hands of greedy developers. This is much more than a struggle over land, people begin to go missing and Marsh must unravel the mystery before losing everything.

The Searching Dead by Ramsey Campbell$30.13 + Free Shipping (Hardcover)The first novel of The Three Births of Daoloth, the first cosmic horror series from Ramsey Campbell, arguably one of the greatest modern horror writers of our time. Dominic Sheldrake is a student in ’50s Liverpool who’s field trip to France revels much more than he expected and exposed him to secrets much darker and deeper than he could begin to realize.

❄️ MUSIC & AUDIO

Yog-Sothoth by Cryo Chamber$9.00 (Digital Download) $19.00 + Shipping (CD)
The latest in their Lovecraftian dark ambient soundscapes, the crew of Cryo Chamber creates an album of surrealist dread that takes us across the eons and is fitting for the outer god of time. (If you really want to full experience I highly recommend the full Lovecraft Bundle as a set they’re damn near perfect. This is music I like to write to.)

The Music of Erich Zann by Forma Tadre€9.00 ($10.00 USD) (Digital Download)I found myself pleasantly surprised by this album—and I’m not generally into EDM. A mix of dark ambient and German electronic with a touch of industrial The Music of Erich Zann takes the 1925 story into some interesting places. If you’re a Lovecraft-loving EDM fan then you’ll be right at home with Forma Tadre’s labor of love.

Black Goat Of The Woods by Black Mountain Transmitter£8.99 ($12.00 USD) + Shipping (CD) £4.00 ($5.00 USD) (Digital Download)
This hard-to-find ode to the lore of Shub Niggurath has been recently re-released. A forgotten and distorted ambient soundtrack to a horror movie you’ve never seen and one you might not want to. Atmospheric and haunting it’s the perfect companion to a gaming session or a late night read.

An Even Scarier Solstice$20.00 + Shipping (CD)The H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society is known for quality audio productions (among other things) and this incredible follow-up to their A Very Scary Solstice album continues to inject cosmic horror into songs styled after classic Christmas music. The perfect soundtrack for those yule nights before the fire with a cup of mulled wine—also for creeping out the family.

❄️ APPAREL

Bell Caravans Patch$5.00 + Shipping (Order by Dec. 10th for Christmas Delivery.)
This beautiful 3″ patch, designed by illustrator Sean Cumiskey, is the perfect way of declaring your loyalty to your beloved caravan master. Put it on your backpack, a tote, or display it on the sleeve of your jacket, just make sure the world knows who you roll with. [From the pages of the Bell Forging Cycle.]

The Call of Cthulhu Tee€20.00 ($26.00 USD) + Shipping (Order Early)
I don’t feature a lot of T-shirts on here because most Lovecraftian-themed shirts come across as a bit… uh, silly. More comedic in tone than anything cosmic. But this shirt from Credo quia Absurdum is different, like most of their work, it draws off ancient esoterica to create stunning designs that feel more darkly authentic than cheesy.

Deep One Brooch$25.00 (Silver) + Shipping (Order Early)Ignore Zadok Allen’s warnings, that man’s just an ol’ drunk. No one pays attention to him anymore. This small resin brooch with silver leaf was apparently worn by members of Innsmouth’s elite Esoteric Order of Dagon. Each item—and there are a limited few—comes in its own specimen box. Worthy of any Innsmouth collector.

Octopus Tentacle Ring$35.92 USD (Sterling Silver) + Shipping
This charming little ring from Serebra Jewelry is delightfully detailed and evokes the reaching tentacles of Cthulhu himself. The ring is made from .925 Sterling silver and adjusts to fit fingers from size 4-14. Consider pairing this with the tentacle ear cuffs as well. After all, a Cthulhu devotee might as well double down on their devotion.

Cthulhu Cufflinks$36.00 (Golden Brass) $66.00 (Sterling Silver)
You’re a person of taste and refinement. Culture. Perhaps you’re a bit fancier than your average cultist (or this humble author) and you need to wear fancy shirts that require cufflinks. Well, you can go wrong with these lovely little monstrosities. Stylized images of Cthulhu that remain as terrifying as they are tasteful.

Bell Caravans Hoodie$55.00 + Shipping
Join the caravan with this classic zip hoodie with a warm fleece lining. The full Bell Caravans logo designed by Sean Cumiskey is on the back, while the small wheel-and-bell symbol resides on the front. Stay warm, look good, fight the Firsts. [From the pages of the Bell Forging Cycle.]

Large Elder Goddess Tentacle Horns$225.00 + Shipping
Looking for the perfect piece to take your Pan + Cthulhu cosplay to the next level? (The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young was Cthulhu’s grandmother after all.) Consider these tentacle “horns” which come in a variety of incredible colors or customized to your liking. Do these look too large? Fret not, they also come in a smaller size for more subdued dreaming.

❄️ GAMES

The Shrouded Isle$9.99 (Digital Download)
In this management sim from Kitfox Games, you play the high priest of an island cult working to fulfill the orders of Chernobog. To do this you must bring about the apocalypse, choosing servants to sacrifice. Each game is procedurally generated yet a surprisingly engaging foray into the dark world of the island’s inhabitants. Complex and addictive.

Cultist Simulator$19.99 (Digital Download)I featured Cultist Simulator last year when it was in alpha, and I’m leaving it on here this year because it has launched and it is amazing. Beginnings have to start somewhere, Alexis Kennedy—director and writer of Sunless Sea (Featured in the 2015 Gift Guide)—explores the rise of a Lovecraft-esque cult in a strange little narrative card game.

The Doom that Came to Atlantic City$75.00 + Shipping (Price may vary depending on availability)
Here’s a twist on a Lovecraftian board game. In this, you play as one of the Lovecraft’s great old-ones and you’ve recently been awakened by one of your mischievous cults and called back to… Atlantic City? But your not alone, you’re competing with your fellow elder-things and trying to crush houses and hotels, shatter realities, call down doom.

Cthulhu: Death May Die$100 and up + Shipping
The ritual is already happening and it’s up to you and your team of investigators to stop the madness and maybe shoot an elder god in the face. Featuring beautiful figures, engaging gameplay, and loads of scenarios. There’s a lot to unpack and Death My Die looks to be more than just a game, it’s a lifestyle.

CARCOSA: Rise of the Cult$249.99 (Three Shipments)Not a games as much as experiences, the Mysterious Package Company tells engaging and customizable stories through the mail. They’re like an interactive alternative reality game. This latest production explores the mystery surrounding a secret society honoring the sinister Yellow King. It’s up to you to decide what is true and what is a fabrication.

❄️ HOUSEWARES

Cree-Pee Lovecraftian Portfolio$8.50 + Shipping (Single) $15.00 + Shipping (Three Pack)A humorous riff on the classic Pee-Chee folders from yesteryear replaces the sporting life with the esoteric investigatory life. The sort that includes monsters and cults and running from monsters and cults. Also research, always research. Pay close attention to the interior flaps as well, you’ll find a lot of handy information within.

Cedric’s Eatery 11oz. Mug$16.00 + Shipping (Order by Dec. 10th for Christmas Delivery.)
It’s cold out and you need a new mug. Why not pick one up from Lovat’s own Cedric’s Eatery located in the entresol between Levels Three and Four. An in-between place for in-between folks. Waldo Bell’s latest hangout. Fill your mug with 11 oz. of bad coffee, your favorite tea, or something stronger. [From the pages of the Bell Forging Cycle.]

Lovecraftian R’lyeh Coin$42.27 + Shipping
I’m a sucker for props—especially well-designed props—and I found these R’lyehian coins to be fantastic little objects. Made to order, these double-sided coins come in their own little box and feature the countenance of the great old one on the obverse and strange markings (Aklo perhaps? Gotta be.) on the reverse.

Lord Cthulhu Laser Engraving$125.00 + Shipping (Order early)Sometimes you’re looking for something more than just your typical print to hang on your wall. This engraved panel is different enough to stand out. Burned into maple, this limited edition beautiful laser etched engraving features the visage of the high priest of R’lyeh himself.

Nyarlathotep Statuette$290 + Shipping (Ships in 2019)Paul Komoda has made a name for himself designing the maddening creatures from Lovecraft’s mythos. (He did the designs for the figures in The Doom that Came to Atlantic City.) Here he captures the Crawling Chaos showing his true form in all his terrible glory. (I particularly like the stack of books he’s standing on.)

❄️ MISKATONIC UNIVERSITY

Miskatonic University Patch$7.50 + Shipping (Order Early)
There’s something retro in the styling of this 3-inch Miskatonic U Patch that makes it stand out from the myriad of other Lovecraft-related ephemera. The color and lettering look like something taken directly from the 20s, so it fits its era splendidly. Plus, it’d look great on your book bag.

Miskatonic Varsity Pins Vol. II$10.00 + Shipping (Each) $65.00 + Shipping (All Eight)
The HPLHS has released another set of beautifully designed enameled pins for students of Miskatonic University. (Check out the first set here.) Perfect for your letterman jacket and a great way to show other alumni your club participation and sporting achievements.

The Antarctica Fragment$65.00 + Shipping (Order Early)
This limited edition collector’s item is direct from the University’s Special Collections Department and taken from the Antarctica Expedition. It depicts a bizarre otherworldly scene in relief. The object comes premounted in its own velvet lined box complete with a collections tag. There’s only a handful left, so get those orders in early!

The Angell Box$1,000 + Shipping (Order Early)
For the serious collector or the most dedicated game master. HPLHS has put together this highly detailed real-life version of the box of occult papers and artifacts left behind by Professor George Gammell Angell in the Lovecraft’s story The Call of Cthulhu. Each box is assembled by hand and takes a few weeks to prepare so order early.

❄️ Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! ❄️

So that wraps up the 5th annual List of Lists. Big thank you to the wonderful folks who read this blog, and the gibbering weirdos over at r/Lovecraft, r/Cthulhu, and r/WeirdLit who helped me pad out this list. Y’all rule. If I didn’t get to your submission, fret not, there are many more holidays ahead. I appreciate the help.

Do you have a book, game, album, or other Lovecraftian items I should feature in 2019’s Lovecraft-Inspired Holiday Gift Guide? Leave a comment below or send me an email!

Want to stay in touch with me? Sign up for Dead Drop, my rare and elusive newsletter. Subscribers get news, previews, and notices on my books before anyone else delivered directly to their inbox. I work hard to make sure it’s not spammy and full of interesting and relevant information. SIGN UP TODAY →

December is just around the corner. That means it’s time for my annual Lovecraft-Inspired Holiday Gift Guide! Huzzah! As with previous years, here you can find the perfect curated gifts for the weird-fiction aficionado, cosmic horror fan, or mythos-lover in your life. (Perhaps something special for yourself. You need gifts too.) There’s a lot of great stuff on the list this year, and you’ll find something for all ages and budgets.

As before, I’ve organized the list by category and ordered them by price making it easy to browse. Have a favorite New Weird or mythos-themed item I left off? Leave a comment at the bottom and let everyone know!

❄️ QUICK LINKS ❄️

❄️ BOOKS

Hammers on Bone by Cassandra Khaw$6.98 + Free Shipping (Paperback) $3.99 (eBook)
More a novella than a novel, Hammers on Bone introduces the reader to John Persons, a hardboiled private investigator hired by a ten-year-old to kill his abusive stepdad. But things aren’t what they seem, and Persons discovers the truth is much dark then he realized.

The Fisherman by John Langan$11.08 (Paperback) $6.99 (Kindle)
Winner of the 2016 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Novel. The Fisherman focuses on a pair of widowers, Abe and Dan, who have found solace in each others company and in fishing. Masterfully written, with an overhanging sense of dread laced with cosmic horror. The result is a sober and somber look at folklore and loss that is dripping with atmosphere.

Winter Tide by Ruthanna Emrys$14.29 + Free Shipping (Hardcover) $15.99 (Paperback) $12.99 (eBook)A twist on historical fiction, Emrys envisions a world where the once aquatic residents of Lovecraft’s Innsmouth were placed in internment camps far from their seaside homes. Emerging from the camps, Aphra Marsh finds herself critical to the government who imprisoned her as they struggle to keep mankind safe from total destruction.

Borne: A Novel by Jeff VanderMeer$14.30 + Free Shipping (Hardcover) $10.40 (Paperback) $12.99 (eBook)Not specifically Lovecraftian, but certainly weird. VanderMeer is back with a tale of biotech gone awry. In a broken future ruled by a giant bear, a strange creature discovered during a scavenging mission might just tip the balance of power and put people in jeopardy.

Red Litten World by K. M. Alexander$15.00 + Free Shipping (Paperback) $4.61 (eBook)
In the third installment of my Bell Forging Cycle, Caravan Master and now Guardian Waldo Bell returns to the multileveled megalopolis of Lovat. Hired by a wealthy patron to investigate a ritual murder he finds himself once again thrust into a conflict that will lead him up into the cities blood-soaked spires.

Engines of the Broken World by Jason Vanhee$16.99 + Free Shipping (Hardcover) $9.99 (Paperback) $7.09 (eBook)This is a hard book to pin down. It’s not Lovecraftian, but the themes are there: ministers speak through animal avatars, mothers sing from beyond the graves, and the world is shrinking. There is a palpable sense of dread that carries the story, amplified by Merciful Truth’s wide-eyed innocence and her outlook on a world that is crumbling at its edges.

❄️ MUSIC & AUDIO

Into The Cold Waste£5.00 ($6.67 USD) (Digital Download)Inspired by the Dream Cycle/Dreamlands from Lovecraft’s often ignored Dreamquest of Unknown Kadath, this album from Allicorn feels like the soundtrack for a movie that should exist. It’s haunting and vast, taking you on a journey that reaches from the deck of the White Ship to the spires of Ngranek itself.

The Dukes Of Alhazred by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets$10.00 CAD + Shipping (CD) $10.00 CAD (Digital Download)
After a decade the latest album from The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets has arrived and fans of the Lovecraftian themed stone rock band won’t be disappointed. It’s catchy, it’s weird, it’s cosmic horror rock. (Make sure to check out the instrumental track Erich Zahn, it’s quite good.)

The Picture in the House LP – PIGAFETTA’S JOURNAL VARIANT$35.00 + ShippingCadabra Records specialize in limited presses of weird fiction audiobook records. Quality and details matter and they make sure the art and presentation are perfect for the collector. This latest release features Lovecraft’s The Picture in the House, read by the indomitable Andrew Leman and scored by the amazingly talented Fabio Frizzi.

The Complete Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft – Special Edition$75.00 + ShippingNew this year from the HPL Historical Society, this collection of all—yes, every single one—of Lovecraft’s audiobooks comes in its own neat USB stick featuring a silhouette portrait of the father of cosmic horror himself. Over 50 hours of Lovecraftian terror, perfect for your holiday.

Bell Caravans Patch$5.00 + Shipping (Order by Dec. 10th for Christmas Delivery.)
This beautiful 3″ patch, designed by illustrator Sean Cumiskey, is the perfect way of declaring your loyalty to your beloved caravan master. Put it on your backpack, a tote, or display it on the sleeve of your jacket, just make sure the world knows who you roll with. [From the pages of the Bell Forging Cycle.]

Cthulhu’s Church Teeshirt$30.00 + ShippingI don’t feature many graphic tees. But this design from Gianni Corniola mimicking the style of stained glass you might find in a gothic church was stunning enough I felt it deserved a bit of attention. It’s a step above most cosmic horror tee shirts.

Cthulhu Idol Necklace$31.95 + ShippingSince the publishing of Call of Cthulhu, there has been a lot of Cthulhu idol designs. Everyone has their own vision of Uncle Angell’s horror in clay. This little pendant was a unique take. It’s subtle and effective, it feels ancient but it’s not overdesigned. The sort of thing you’d imagine someone driven to madness would create.

Bell Caravans Hoodie$55.00 + Shipping
Join the caravan with this classic zip hoodie with a warm fleece lining. The full Bell Caravans logo designed by Sean Cumiskey is on the back, while the small wheel-and-bell symbol resides on the front. Stay warm, look good, fight the Firsts. [From the pages of the Bell Forging Cycle.]

Cthulhu Silicone Mask$750.00 + ShippingElevate your cosplay game with this terrifying realistic silicon mask sculpted by Andrew Freeman. Created with quality in mind this mask moves and jiggles with a stomach-churning reality. Comes in a variety of colors from “flesh” (pictured) to even stranger patterns. It’s the perfect mask to help you fully realize your character.

❄️ GAMES

Manimal Sanctuary – iOSFree! (Digital Download)Hard to pin down, Manimal Sanctuary is not a game so much as it’s an experience. You play the role of a benevolent creature watching and devouring the emotion as you following the lives of several characters struggling in a world devoured by gibbering monstrosities. Worth the play. Available on Android. (Low-end VR platform like Google Cardboard required.)

Cultist Simulator$14.00 (Digital Download)Beginnings have to start somewhere, Alexis Kennedy (creator of Sunless Sea) explores the rise of a Lovecraft-esque cult in a strange little card game. I backed it on Kickstarter, played the Alpha, and fell in love. It’s engaging, its story and its world are rich and fresh, and I can’t wait for its release.

Sunless Skies$24.99 (Early Access Digital Download)Failbetter Games takes the sequel to Sunless Sea from the endless night of Fallen London to the very stars themselves. For Queen and Country, you must explore the Victorian steam-punk skies of the High Wilderness as captain of your own spacefaring locomotive.

175mm Resin Cthulhu Miniture€46.11 ($55.00 USD) + ShippingSpice up your next tabletop gaming session with the greatest of great old ones. Spice up your players next encounter with The Revenant of R’lyeh, The Motivator of Madness, The Despair from the Deep, The One, The Only, Cthuuuuuullllhuuuuuu. [Crowd goes insane.]

Arkham Horror Premium Figures$62.91—$191.52 + ShippingIf you’re like me, you’re obsessed with the Arkham Horror line of boardgames from Fantasy Flight. (I’m a big fan of Mansions of Madness.) Like me, you might not have the time to paint their lovely little figures. Well, lucky for us, they offer a selection of premium painted figures.

❄️ HOUSEWARES

Cthulelf!Free! (Digital Download)Writer, cartoonist, and all-around rad person Kate Leth created this adorable little monstrosity for your home! As she says: “The old one rises from R’lyeh to wish you a merry and festive holiday season!” Print yours out and make your home a bit more festive. Check out Kate’s other work as well.

Innsmouth Olde Ale$13.00 (Per Six-Pack)This holiday season, when you crack open a cold one, have yourself a ‘Gansett. The latest from Narragansett Brewing Company’s Lovecraft series is names after Innsmouth and is a toasty and malted English-style Olde Ale. Something you might find served in Gilman House perhaps?

Cedric’s Eatery 11oz. Mug$16.00 + Shipping (Order by Dec. 10th for Christmas Delivery.)
It’s cold out and you need a new mug. Why not pick one up from Lovat’s own Cedric’s Eatery located in the entresol between Levels Three and Four. An in-between place for in-between folks. Waldo Bell’s latest hangout. Fill your mug with 11 oz. of bad coffee, your favorite tea, or something stronger. [From the pages of the Bell Forging Cycle.]

Nightgaunt Statuette$25.00 + ShippingYour bookshelf deserves this little guardian of Ngranek. If he protected the infamous mountain on the isle of Oriab deep within the Dreamlands then he can protect your hardcover collection. Let this little fella carry you away, the way his cousins carried away a young H.P. Lovecraft.

Handmade Cthulhu Mug$40.00 + ShippingWhether your drink is coffee, tea, beer, wine, or something a bit stronger don’t you believe your beverage of choice deserves a mug as unique as your interests? Why not pick up this (very) limited handmade Cthulhu mug featuring the great old one gripping a human skull in his mouth tentacles, then smugly challenge all beverages.

Eldritch PipesPrices & Availability VariesThese gorgeous pipes come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. They are almost too beautiful to use with each shape being as unique as those who wield them. The pipe pictured is “The Cultist” and is sadly no longer available but there is always a rotating stock so keep your eyes peeled.

Not finding a houseware item you like?
Check out the housewares from one of the previous guides.
• 2016’s Housewares •

Sterling Silver Miskatonic University 1928 Lapel Pin$29.00 + ShippingIf you’re looking for something a bit on the fancy side, consider this 3/4″ sterling silver lapel pin from Badali Jewelry featuring the 1928 Miskatonic University seal. Also available as a tie-tack if you’re one of those people who is forced to wear ties unironically.

Miskatonic Varsity Zip Hoodie$75.00 + ShippingAs a student of Miskatonic University, you’re proud of your alma mater. We all know it. So, why not wear your pride on your shoulders? This high-quality hoodie is the perfect way to show school spirit and comes with a varsity pin of your choice to celebrate your accomplishments.

❄️ Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! ❄️

Do you have a book, game, or other Lovecraftian product I should feature in next years Lovecraft-Inspired Holiday Gift Guide? Leave a comment below or send me an email!

Want to stay in touch with me? Sign up for Dead Drop, my rare and elusive newsletter. Subscribers get news, previews, and notices on my books before anyone else delivered directly to their inbox. I work hard to make sure it’s not spammy and full of interesting and relevant information. SIGN UP TODAY →

Last weekend, I finished reading Aldous Huxley famous dystopian novel, Brave New World. It was as good as I remembered and was a pleasure to re-read it during in my “Year of Classics.” But, this isn’t a post about classic dystopian novels; this is a post about storytelling and swag. Say whhhaaaat?

Allow me to explain how I got here. Within the novel, Huxley references “feelies” a sort-of hybrid source of entertainment where all senses are stimulated. While musing over this, I decided to do a little research. So I quickly googled the term and was surprised to learn that “feelie” was not only a Huxley invention (or a college-rock band from the eighties) it was also a slang term used in video games, particularly for a type of swag.

Feelies included with Infocom’s The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

A feelie was the name given to the bonus content included with the boxed versions of video games in the late eighties and early nineties. Props, booklets, coins, runes, histories, cloth maps, and much more. These started with Infocom titles such asZork, Planetfall, and the game version of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Now, I realize that tchotchkes or swag is common across a lot of industries, and it’s something that crops up in the book industry as well. Go to any convention and you’ll come away with a haul, bookmarks, pens, bottle openers, tote bags, stickers, rubber bracelets, flyers. It’s popular and plentiful. I always have loads of swag at my table; I know many other authors do as well. Swag in its most rudimentary form is effectively an advertisement; feelies go a step further. They add a little something extra.

For example, Brandon Sanderson sells vials of allomantic metals similar to the ones allomancers imbibe in his Mistborn series. Hugh Howey once gave away Fallout Shelter passes (that doubled as USB drives) from his Wool series. In my own work, you can picture the dust-covered roaders of Bell Caravans wearing patches while on the trail. You get extra information from Wal’s notes scrawled on the Map of the Known Territories. There are hints at the history of the city in the illustrations on the Syringa postcard. These details are what separates a feelie from typical swag, a good feelie helps to expand its world as well as enhance it, they assist in making a fictional world feel real, they establish it as a place you can touch.

Feelies included with Origin’s Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss

I’ve been a big fan of this approach for a long time. To me, it’s another aspect of worldbuilding. Only instead of with writing you’re doing it with objects. The feelie reminds me of an alternate reality game, going beyond the page to establish a real-world presence for our fictional creations and increasing immersiveness. My books have always been seeded with a little something extra so why not carry that over to other outlets as well? I’ve scattered extra stuff throughout websites, in bookmarks, in posts on this blog, and on Tumblr. The Bell Caravan patches come with Caravan Employee Registration documentation, stamped by the Lovaine Caravan Authority, of course, and signed by Wal. (It’s also full of subtle little references.) I find this attention to details adds little extra for the reader who is willing to put in the time. There’s something very engaging when you introduce someone something tangible to connect them to a piece of fiction. To me, that is much more interesting than a tote bag or tee shirt with a book cover on it.

Bell Caravans Patch with Included Caravan Employee Registration Form

I’m cooking up a few new ideas as well, so there’s always more to come. I’ve been dreaming up feelies for my secret fantasy project, and I have some great ideas for the Coal Belly series, and The Bell Forging Cycle (as I mentioned, some of the latter is already out there, providing one is willing to put in the legwork to discover it.) I love making stuff associated with my world, and I love sharing those creations with readers. (I even give away swag packs for free.)

Now, how about you? What do you think of feelies? Do you prefer them to regular swag or do you find them silly? What has been your favorite feelie you’ve purchased or received? Are you a creator who has made something extra for your world? I’d love to see your creations, and I’m sure others would as well. Feel free to post a link in the comments and share them with all of us.

Well, Old Broken Road has been out for one whole week! I’ve seen a few reviews crop up and that is always exciting. I hope everyone is enjoying the book. If you’ve finished, help me out by leaving an honest review either where you purchased the book or on Goodreads. (Or both!) Reviews help. A lot.

Those of you waiting for the Nook edition, fret not, the Nook version is out now. Yay! Eventually you’ll be able to buy the paperback from Barnes & Noble. It takes time though.

If you missed it yesterday, I now have Bell Caravan patches in my store. They’re so incredibly awesome, you should get one for your jean jacket or bag or whatever. Check ’em out.

Finally, if you haven’t picked up your copy there’s a bunch of ways to do so! See the list at oldbrokenroad.com. Just click the button for your favorite eBook platform, or order a paperback. Paperbacks ordered through Amazon and on my store also include the eBook version for FREE, that way you don’t have to wait for the book to arrive to start reading.

I really appreciate you showing me so much support and I hope you are enjoying the book! Thanks for taking the time to take a trip down the Old Broken Road. There’s a whole lot more to come.

Sign up for Dead Drop, my rare and elusive newsletter. Subscribers get news, previews, and notices on my books before anyone else delivered directly to their inbox. I work hard to make sure it's not spammy and full of interesting and relevant information.